Mac or Windows?

This is the question. It's time for me to buy a new system for my home. I'm between embarrassed and proud to have used the same computer for almost six years. Before blogging there was really little reason to spend hours online and having a PC running on Windows XP at home was convenient as I could easily transport files back and forth.

A recent report from Gartner says that worldwide shipments of PCs have increased 12% in the second quarter -- with US sales at about 6%. Dell and HP are in the two top spots in both lists, with HP clearly dominating the international market. Another report from IDC, says that Apple, Acer, and Toshiba lead charge in US PC sales -- with Acer growing at a whopping 164%, Toshiba at 50% and Apple taking the lead to 960,000 units (just below Gateway) with a growth of 26% in quarter to quarter comparison between 2006 and 2007.

Apple seems to have done the nicest jump from 4.8% to 5.6%.

Every time I talk to a Mac user, I'm tempted to go that route. The system seems to be the easiest to work with, and notwithstanding the fact that it's been thirteen years since I worked on a Mac, the ramp up time might not be too bad. Although the expense would be much greater and I would have to purchase Adobe Suite programs for that system, in addition to the overall cost of Apple, which is greater than Windows' based PCs.

I'm a practical person, I tend to lean towards a Windows based system. So looking at those systems, the main question seems to be Quad-core or Dual-core? And here's a new hurdle: Windows Vista. I have now read a few reviews that panned the new operating system for many reasons. A preliminary look in stores these past couple of weeks did not thrill me, either.

What are your thoughts? Keeping in mind that I use my home computer mainly online for blogging and for some light design work, for which I currently use Adobe software.

I am amazed at the range and depth of impressions that Mac has made on everyone here.

Dawyd -- I am headed in this direction as soon as I find a moment to regroup and take my machine to the store. Apple provides a free transfer for PC users. A nice incentive for me.

Katie -- my gut told me to stay away from Vista. Of course, I had heard reports... the look and feel is just uninspiring and although Microsoft rules the world, I have the feeling that I want to control my little piece of it.

Hi Valeria, I just wanted to chime in to tell you not to buy a computer with Vista.

I just bought a new Toshiba laptop 3 months ago, and Vista is driving me insane. It has bugs, it takes up too much computer memory, and it doesn't give me anything new beyond Windows XP. Yes, there will be service packs coming out, but I doubt they will solve all the problems.

My last four computers have all been Windows-based. Every single one has had significant hardware problems (with the exception of the new one so far.) Getting them fixed has always been a traumatic experience. Sometimes it can takes weeks.

Macs don't break as much, and when they do break, it's easier to get support. Plus, Macs are designed to be easier to use than PCs, and you don't have to deal with Windows as much.

In the future, I will buy a Mac. I don't want to deal with the headaches of PCs anymore.